Questions:
Definitions of commonly used terms
bisexual — Someone who can be romantically or sexually attracted to either men or women. Note that the attraction need not be equal and may vary at different times.
butch — A masculine lesbian or one who adheres to a male gender role. Considered anachronistic by many lesbians.
civil union — A legally recognized relationship between two GLBT (and sometimes straight) people offered by some states and localities. Civil unions don't provide all of the rights of marriage, and none at all at the federal level.
closet — The metaphoric refuge where a GLBT person is said to reside until or unless they 'come out.'
come out — To reveal oneself as GLBT. This may be voluntary, or someone may be 'outed' against their will.
commitment ceremony — A joining ceremony between two GLBT people. Often religious in nature, they generally confer no legal rights or obligations.
crossdresser — A (usually) straight man who dresses and appears in traditionally feminine form. Formerly known as transvestite. May also apply to a butch lesbian.
drag queen — A gay man who dresses and appears in traditionally feminine form. May be an entertainer.
femme — A feminine lesbian or one who adheres to a female gender role. Considered anachronistic by many lesbians.
gay — A man who can be romantically or sexually attracted to other men. Often used generically to include lesbians and bisexuals.
gay bash — To assault, harrass, or intimidate someone because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Depending on the circumstances, it may be a hate crime or incident.
gaydar — The acquired sense that someone may be GLBT based on their dress, hairstyle, mannerisms, speech, etc. Note that stereotypes are often wrong!
GLBTQ — Acronym: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning.
GSA — Acronym: Gay/Straight Alliance. Many schools and colleges have student organizations for GLBT people and their straight allies.
heterosexism — The naïve or callous presumption that everybody is or should be straight.
homophobia — A prejudice, discomfort, or outright hatred toward GLBT people or issues. May be latent, overt, or even internalized.
intersex — Someone with ambiguous genitalia containing both male and female attributes. Formerly known as hermaphrodite.
lesbian — A woman who can be romantically or sexually attracted to other women.
partner — A same-sex boyfriend/girlfriend or spousal equivalent: significant other.
pink triangle — A jacket badge assigned to gay prisoners in WW-II concentration camps and since appropriated as a symbol of gay pride or identity.
pride march — A parade to celebrate a day of welcome visibility and camaraderie for GLBT people and their friends and families. PFLAG is a ubiquitous presence in pride marches nationwide.
queer — A conveniently inclusive shorthand for people in gender, sexual, or sexual orientation minorities. Long a homophobic slur, it's been reclaimed by many (but not all) GLBT people.
rainbow flag — A six-color flag symbolizing gay pride. The colors from top to bottom are: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.
reparative therapy — The mistaken, harmful, and long discredited notion that gay people can (or should) stop being gay through counseling.
straight acting — A GLBT person whose manner and appearance conform to cultural norms. This could be an effort to fit into a straight society, or it could simply be their natural persona.
straight ally — A straight person who advocates for their GLBT family members, friends, or fellow citizens. If you are one, PFLAG is your home!
transgender — An umbrella term including people with various sexual and gender identities.
transphobia — A prejudice, discomfort, or outright hatred toward people in sexual or gender identity minorities. Closely linked with homophobia and misogyny.
transsexual — A person whose sense of their own sex is at variance with the genitalia they were born with. May be pre- or post-operative.
